Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have helped shape the United States, beginning with the founding of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s first institution of higher learning for African Americans, in 1837.
As we commemorate Black History Month, Domtar recognizes the special contributions of these institutions and their alumni to our company, our industry and our communities. We appreciate the unique educational experiences of HBCU students, and we regularly recruit these students to participate in our college programs and for full-time employment.
“Across the country, we’ve seen more companies recruiting at HBCUs, as many employers have placed greater emphasis on diversity in hiring,” says Talia Massey, talent program manager at Domtar. “We’ve been recruiting at several of these schools for many years and enjoy good relationships with students, staff and alumni.”
Many of our past interns, co-op students and early-career engineers were recruited from HBCU programs, and several HBCU alumni have chosen careers at Domtar, bringing valuable perspectives to our teams.
In the fall, our recruiters participated in a virtual career fair at North Carolina A&T University, and we were able to recruit in person at Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern universities.
Staff at Prairie View also asked Domtar professionals to help students by reviewing resumes and offering interviewing tips. Massey says her colleagues have done the same with students at other schools.
Domtar usually hires 30-40 university students per year, most often as interns or co-op students at our manufacturing sites. These students gain valuable experience, and Domtar develops potential future employees.
Beyond HBCU recruiting, Domtar supports education alongside Alpha Kappa Alpha, an historically Black sorority, through AKA’s Pearls of Promise Foundation. Domtar donated $5,000 last year to the foundation’s York County chapter, which promotes scholarship, encourages personal development, and provides community-based educational programs for all people, particularly youth and disenfranchised populations.
Learn more about job opportunities for college students and full-time job seekers here.
